I AM aware of a crisis in the dental world and that rules are rules, but I was disgusted by the jobsworth approach at my mother's surgery.

On Monday she rang for an appointment at the Leigh practice at which she has been a patient for over 40 years and was told that she was no longer on their list - because she had not attended for treatment for two years.

She explained that she'd not had any appointments sent to keep, but nevertheless was told to go elsewhere - and at the age of 73 I don't think that's really on.

She's always had a mouth full of strong molars which have not needed much seeing to and how many at her age can boast of that?

For those not receiving benefits dentistry is an expensive job, so why should old people have pay for check ups when no work needs doing? Why should they be written off if they are not taking up any time? What difference does it make?

Thankfully she has found an accommodating new dentist in Tyldesley who obviously treat the elderly with more respect - if they keep to the regular check-up system I suppose. You can't win.